When food is no longer a comfort

This past year has been a roller coaster. We have been flung into a world we barely recognise – a world of polarised perspectives, of conflicting messages and of ongoing uncertainty.

We might find that we veer from feeling a sense of comfort knowing that everyone in the world is living with us in this pandemic to experiencing sudden flashes of insight into the enormity of our situation…. Almost 8 billion people – 8 billion! – struggling to adapt to this new world of ours.  

Trying to absorb this knowledge feels too big, too overwhelming for us, particularly as this enormous figure represents individuals who are trying, as best they can, to make sense of an environment that has become relentlessly unpredictable and potentially life-threatening.

These two conditions, together with ongoing lockdown regulations, combine to create a perfect storm – of uncertainty, lack of personal control, acute stress and social isolation. 

It seems inevitable that the pandemic has impacted on people’s wellbeing. This is borne out by The Lancet’s recent report which showed that general mental health in the UK has deteriorated during this year of pandemic. And perhaps it is also inevitable that one of the areas in which this distress has been reflected is in the prevalence of eating disorders. 

The national eating disorder charity, Beat, reported a huge surge of 73% in the number of people accessing their service this past year, while the NHS saw a significant increase of almost 50% in referrals of young people for specialist eating disorder treatment.

Whilst recognising that eating disorder aetiology is complex, it seems clear that this rise in eating disorders is due, at least in part, to pandemic related isolation, uncertainty about the future, perceived loss of control and stress. 

Given that three-quarters of lifetime mental health illness is first experienced in adolescence, it is alarming to see this rise in eating disorders (and relapse) in young people; particularly so when we consider how dangerous they can be.  

Anorexia nervosa, for example, has the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric conditions. Preventative measures are crucial. As is early intervention, which is associated with a better long-term prognosis.  

At The Soke, we recognise how important it is to avail of windows of opportunity and we respond by working with our specialist team to create individualised treatment plans for the many young people we see.  Our support isn’t limited to working with young people though.

We provide support for people across age, eating disorder diagnosis and background.  We also ensure that we are there to provide support and information for families because we know that eating disorders tend to take everyone in the family hostage. 

So, what do we mean when we talk about eating disorders and what are the different types? Well, there are three diagnosable eating disorders:

• Anorexia Nervosa

• Bulimia Nervosa

• Binge Eating Disorder

Behaviour associated with them might include:

• Restriction, bingeing and/or purging of food

• Use of laxatives

• Excessive exercise

If someone’s symptoms don’t fit into these categories, they might be diagnosed with another disorder called ‘other specified feeding or eating disorder (or OFSED)’.   

While we often hear about anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, in fact OFSED is the condition we see most regularly; this is not surprising given that it accounts for the highest percentage of eating disorders.  

And what changes in behaviour might we see in people with eating disorders?   Some or all of the following changes can be signs that someone is having trouble with their food and weight: 

• Excessive focus on food

• Secretive behaviour around food

• Self-consciousness about eating with others

• Sense of shame, guilt or anxiety

• Poor body image

• Mood swings

• Irritability

• Fatigue

• Difficulty focusing/low levels of concentration

• Social disconnection/isolation

• Low self-esteem and low self-confidence

However, not everyone who struggles with their food, weight and body image have definable eating disorders and it can be helpful to recognise that many people experience ‘disordered eating’.  

When we consider that 38% of people in the UK speak of being on a diet most of the time, we have an indication of how prevalent – yet how hidden – food and body issues are. 

In our current climate of uncertainty, it is not surprising that people are attempting to take back control by responding actively to one of the conflicting messages they are subjected to on a daily basis.  

On one hand, we are encouraged to transform our health (and ourselves) during lockdown, whilst on the other we are being encouraged to embrace the weight gain many have experienced during lockdown.

Oh, and in case you hadn’t heard, referencing the typical number of lbs people have gained as a result of the lockdown, it’s called ‘Covid-15’.

Contact us if you feel that you would benefit from a conversation with someone who can help.